Age old Question

[Oakland Red]

You want to maximize value in my view. So, you draft the player with clearly greater talent even if it is not a position you need to fill at that time. To draft the relatively mediocre player because it fills a need does not increase the overall ability level of your team.

You want as many difference making players as you can get. If you have more than you think you need at one position, it can at least make for domination and depth.

Increasing the overall talent level of your team also gives you more flexibility in terms of trades with other teams.

In practical terms, you look to see if the talent level available at your position of need is roughly equal to the talent level of players in the draft who play other positions. If it is, then of course you can focus on need.

It isn't just about drafting for talent or needs of course either - it is also for intelligence, cooperativeness, determination, and other traits that go into making a "Redskin" type of player.